Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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Varies by call; GIE grants to CSO partners typically EUR 50,000–500,000. (Note: Hivos-Triodos Fund, a separate vehicle, invests EUR 100K–5M in enterprises.)
The Green and Inclusive Energy (GIE) programme supports the transition to green, inclusive energy systems in East and Southern Africa. It funds civil society organizations and social enterprises working on renewable energy access, citizen energy participation, and gender-inclusive energy policy. The program operates through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Dialogue and Dissent strategic partnership framework.
Grant Funding
Non-dilutive grant funding for project implementation (amount varies by call)
Technical Assistance
Access to Hivos' network of energy and policy experts
Capacity Building
Organizational development support and peer learning with other GIE partners
Policy Advocacy Platform
Opportunity to influence national and county-level energy policy through Hivos' advocacy infrastructure
Citizen Energy
Empowering citizens and communities to participate in and benefit from the energy transition, including community-owned renewable energy and energy cooperatives.
Gender-Inclusive Energy Policy
Advocating for and developing energy policies that address the specific energy needs of women and promote gender equality in the energy sector.
Renewable Energy Access
Expanding access to clean, affordable energy for low-income households and communities, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
Organizations driving inclusive energy transitions in East and Southern Africa — especially those combining renewable energy access with gender equality and citizen participation. Hivos values civil society-led approaches that influence policy and empower communities rather than purely commercial energy projects.
Ongoing reporting support, capacity building, peer learning network with other GIE partners across the region. Access to Hivos' policy advocacy platforms at national and county level.
No open call as of April 2026 — confirm new call before investing time in an application; GIE is primarily for CSOs/NGOs, not for-profit startups; Do not confuse with Hivos-Triodos Fund which is a separate impact investment vehicle
Hivos GIE strongly prioritizes gender-inclusive approaches. Applications that demonstrate how women's energy needs are central to the project design (not just a mention of 'women beneficiaries') tend to score higher. Partnerships with county-level governments in Kenya or national energy ministries in Tanzania significantly strengthen proposals. Monitor hivos.org/calls/ for new rounds.
2016
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
TANGSEN (Tanzania Gender and Sustainable Energy Network) — gender action plan for Tanzania Ministry of Energy; Multiple county government energy policy partnerships in Kenya; Green Energy for Women initiative in East Africa